2xsolutionsguide

8/2/2019 2XSolutionsguide

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Release Version 4.1

The 2X Software

Server Based Computing Guide

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Companies, names,

and data used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted. No part of this

document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronicor mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of 2XSOFTWARE Ltd.

2X ApplicationServer and LoadBalancer, 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2XThinClientServer are copyright of 2X SOFTWARE Ltd.1999-2010 2X SOFTWARE Ltd. All

rights reserved.


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Table of Contents

Advantages of 2X Server Based Computing .......................................................................................... 4

Take the fast track to easy and cost-effective Thin Client Computing ............................................. 4

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 5

What is 2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer? ............................................................................... 5

What is 2X VirtualDesktopServer? .................................................................................................... 5

What is 2X ThinClientServer? ............................................................................................................ 5

Solutions................................................................................................................................................ 6

2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer scenarios .............................................................................. 6

Single Farm Solution with one Terminal Server ............................................................................ 6

Single Farm Solution with Mixed Desktops .................................................................................. 8

Load balancing Citrix Solution ..................................................................................................... 10

Direct Mode Client Connections ................................................................................................. 11

Gateway (Regular / SSL) Mode Client Connections .................................................................... 12

Mixed Mode (Direct / Regular / SSL) Client Connections ........................................................... 13

Single Farm Solution with Public & Private 2X Client Gateway .................................................. 14

Single Farm Solution with Dual 2X Client Gateway..................................................................... 16

Single Farm Solution with Citrix & MS Terminal Server .............................................................. 18

High Availability with Multiple Gateways and 2X Web Access Portals. ...................................... 20

Multiple Client Gateways, Web Access Portals and Publishing Agents using Direct Mode for

Terminal Server ................................................................................................................................... 22

High Availability with a single or dual f/w DMZ .......................................................................... 24

Dual Firewall DMZ ....................................................................................................................... 26

2X VirtualDesktopServer scenarios ................................................................................................. 28

Load balancing VDI Solution ....................................................................................................... 28

Single Farm Solution with one Virtual Host ................................................................................ 30

Virtual Desktops in Mixed Mode (Direct / Regular / SSL) Client Connections ............................ 31

Virtual Desktops in Single Farm with Public & Private 2X Client Gateway ................................. 32

Virtual Desktops in Single Farm Solution with Dual 2X Client Gateway ..................................... 33

2X ThinClientServer scenarios ......................................................................................................... 34

PCs and ThinClient accessing Microsoft, Citrix and Linux NX Terminal Servers ......................... 34


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2X Virtual XP Desktops ................................................................................................................ 36

2X Desktop with mixed Citrix and 2X Published Applications .................................................... 38

Multiple OS, Multiple desktops .................................................................................................. 40

Mixed scenarios .............................................................................................................................. 42

Multiple Farm Solution ............................................................................................................... 42

Terminology ........................................................................................................................................ 43

Client Connection Modes: ............................................................................................................... 43

SSL Mode ..................................................................................................................................... 43

Regular Mode .............................................................................................................................. 43

Direct Mode ................................................................................................................................ 43

2X VirtualDesktopServer Components ........................................................................................... 43

Port Reference .................................................................................................................................... 44

Appendices .......................................................................................................................................... 46

Installation notes ............................................................................................................................ 46

Setting Up 2X ThinClientServer ................................................................................................... 46

Common issues ........................................................................................................................... 47


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Advantages of 2X Server Based

Computing

Server Based Computing Less administration, higher availability, and big savings

Less Administration Central management of users, patches (only server-based)software, (updates and upgrades) data, and backups

Higher Security Elimination of viruses, Trojans or other vulnerabilities on clients, centralmanagement of security settings on the server and centralized backupsHardware Independence Support of virtually all client devices and computer hardware and

very low system requirements

Easy Access Employees, customers and Partners telework / roam more easily using

published desktops and applications

Reduction in TCO Total Cost of Ownership reduction by up to 50%

Take the fast track to easy and cost-effective Thin Client Computing

2X ApplicationServer for Window s Terminal Services Allows Windowsapplications to be tunneled seamlessly onto remote desktops and savings on

administration & support.

2X VirtualDesktopServer Provides vendor independent virtual desktops andapplications, accessible from anywhere while saving on administration & support.

2X LoadBalancer for Terminal Services / Citrix Provides load balancing,increased security and redundancy for Terminal Servers & Citrix servers.

2X ThinClientServer for W indows / Linux Converts PCs into thin clients &centrally manages thin client devices from any vendor.


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Introduction

What is 2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer?

2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer is an easy-to-use centralized GUI Application that

allows configuration of 2X ApplicationServer and 2X LoadBalancer. 2X ApplicationServer

enables you to publish individual applications to your users machines seamlessly, while 2XLoadBalancer is an automated load balancing/tunneling solution for Terminal Services &Citrix that enables you to distribute user sessions across terminal servers in such a way that

the best performing terminal server is always selected to handle the incoming connection.

What is 2X VirtualDesktopServer?

2X VirtualDesktopServer is an application providing vendor independent virtual desktops

and applications, accessible from anywhere. 2X VirtualDesktopServer allows you to publish

full desktops and applications in a virtual environment with improved desktopmanageability, security and performance.

For more information on which Virtual Desktop Infrastructure providers we support please

visit ourApproved VDI Software page.

What is 2X ThinClientServer?

2X ThinClientServer provides a complete solution for the central deployment, configuration

and management of thin clients, and provides load balancing and redundancy of terminal

servers.

A small footprint Linux distribution is deployed to thin clients (all popular thin clients aresupported) OR to normal PCs, allowing you to convert existing PCs into thin clients. Thinclient settings (screen size, which terminal servers to log into, etc.) can be centrally

managed.

2X ThinClientServer is thin client vendor independent: You can use old computers, new low

cost computers and dedicated thin client devices from different vendors - and manage allthese thin clients through one consistent and open interface.

Rather than having to commit to one particular thin client vendor and be forced to buy all

your hardware from that vendor, you have the flexibility to choose whats best for you and

the possibility to re-use your old computer hardware.
http://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.html


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Solutions

2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer

scenarios

Single Farm Solution with one Terminal Server

This solution is implemented when one will need to publish applications and desktops from a

single Terminal Server.

COMPONENTSMS Terminal Server

Component Installed

2X Client Gateway Yes

2X Publishing Agent Yes

2X Terminal Server Agent Yes

2X VDS Agent No


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Single Farm Solution with Two Terminal Servers

This solution can be implemented by any organization that needs to load balance published

applications and desktops between two terminal servers.


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed

2X Client Gateway No

2X Publishing Agent No

2X Terminal Server Agent Yes2X VDS Agent No


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Single Farm Solution with Mixed Desktops

By using this solution you are able to publish virtual desktops from the virtualization

technology and remote desktops from the Microsoft Terminal Server.

COMPONENTS

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed



2X Terminal Server Agent No

2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Virtual Host/ Appliance

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent Yes


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Load balancing Citrix Solution

2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer is an easy and affordable solution to load balance

Citrix Servers. Install 2X Client Gateway and 2X Publishing Agent on a MS WindowsMachine. Then install 2X Terminal Server Agent on each Citrix Server. Citrix ICA connectionswill be tunneled through the 2X Client Gateway.

COMPONENTS

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

Citrix Server

Component Installed



2X Terminal Server Agent Yes2X VDS Agent No


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Direct Mode Client Connections

Clients can connect using the direct mode with any MS Terminal Server. Clients will first askthe 2X Publishing Agent for the best available Terminal Server and they will connect directly

to the preferred MS Terminal Server. This type of connection is ideal for a LAN environment.


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Gateway (Regular / SSL) Mode Client Connections

Clients can connect using Gateway or SSL mode with the 2X Client Gateway machine. Thismachine will listen for RDP over SSL connections and will forward traffic to the MS Terminal

Server according to their load status. These connection modes are ideal for roaming clients(connecting over the internet).

COMPONENTSMS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Mixed Mode (Direct / Regular / SSL) Client Connections

LAN clients could connect with the MS Terminal Server in a direct mode while WAN client

could connect using SSL mode. 2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer is able to handledifferent modes concurrently.


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Single Farm Solution with Public & Private 2X Client

Gateway

This solution is ideal for environments where one would like to dedicate a machine (2X

Client Gateway Public) to accept WAN RDP connection and another machine (2X Client

Gateway Private) to accept LAN RDP connections. Both 2X Client Gateways must beconfigured to connect with the same 2X Publishing Agent (using the Advanced Client

Gateway Settings).

COMPONENTSMS Windows Machine (Public & Private)

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed2X Client Gateway No



2X VDS Agent No


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MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Single Farm Solution with Dual 2X Client Gateway

This solution is ideal for high availability environments. Clients must be configured toconnect with a Primary and a Secondary Server. Primary and Secondary 2X Client Gateways

must be configured to connect with the same 2X Publishing Agent (using the AdvancedClient Gateway Settings). When the primary 2X Client Gateway is not available, clients willbe able to connect with the secondary 2X Client Gateway.


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Windows Machine




2X VDS Agent No


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MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Single Farm Solution with Citrix & MS Terminal Server

2X ApplicationServer & LoadBalancer product is ideal for a Citrix & MS Terminal ServerEnvironments. This scenario is ideally used when migrating from Citrix to 2X solutions. 2X

Terminal Server Agent must be installed on the MS Terminal Servers and Citrix Servers.


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Citrix Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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High Availability with Multiple Gateways and 2X Web

Access Portals.

This solution is ideal for high availability environments with more than 300 concurrent usersconnected in SSL mode. Each client gateway should optimally handle 300 to 500 concurrent

user connections* and this can be scaled horizontally accordingly.

*300 users through SSL tunnelled gateway mode, 500 standard, 2X gateway connections

Assuming the gateway machine is only acting as such (no other demanding services using these machines)

All Secure Client Gateways must be configured to connect with the same Publishing Agentand Backup Publishing Agent (using the Advanced Client Gateway Settings see above).

Client Access Portal n

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

2X Web Access Portal Yes

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

2X Redundancy Service Yes


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MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Multiple Client Gateways, Web Access Portals and

Publishing Agents using Direct Mode for Terminal Server

This solution combines the High Availability solutions with a non-gateway connection. Eachclient gateway will only be used until a connection is made to an available Terminal Server*.

All Client Gateways must be configured to connect with the same Master and Backup

Publishing Agent (using the Advanced Client Gateway Settings). Since Direct mode is goingto be used but externally the client has no access to the internal IPs, the direct mode

address needs to be overridden in the TS settings in the farm.

*Terminal Servers will be exposed on the internet via an NAT / PAT / Firewall Solution thatmust include the rules shown in the diagram.

It is important to note that in direct mode connections preclude SSL connections.


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MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


MS Windows Machine

Component Installed



2X Terminal ServerAgent

No

2X VDS Agent No


MS Terminal Server

Component Installed



2X Terminal ServerAgent

Yes

2X VDS Agent No


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High Availability with a single or dual f/w DMZ

Many companies use the DMZ layout to separate the servers that handle exposed servicesfrom the ones that handle internal ones.

There are two types of DMZs; single and dual firewall DMZs with the latter being the moreexpensive but more secure. (In the dual firewall approach many people suggest using twodifferent firewall technologies to avoid one weakness or one type of attack breaking both

firewalls.)

The firewall between the gateways and the intranet must allow the gateways and the

systems to connect to the publishing agents using the standard port.

Single Firewall DMZ

In a single firewall DMZ scenario, the firewall system must be capable to route a connectionproperly from the 2X Gateways to the 2X Publishing Agents. It is also responsible for theconnections from internet to the virtual IP presented by NLB or other generic- protocol load

balancing solution.


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MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

Standard Firewall solution

Alternate Firewall solution ( optional but suggested)For better isolation from attacks


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Dual Firewall DMZ

In a dual firewall scenario the settings are simpler and the protection from external

malicious agents is higher.


MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No



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MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

Standard Firewall solution

Alternate Firewall solution ( optional but suggested)For better isolation from attacks


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2X VirtualDesktopServer scenarios

Load balancing VDI Solution

2X VirtualDesktopServer is an easy and affordable solution to load balance multiplevirtualization technologies. The virtualization technologies can differ from each other. Formore information on which Virtual Desktop Infrastructure providers we support please visitourApproved VDI Software page.

COMPONENTS

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No
http://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/vdsapproved.html


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Component Installed




2X VDS Agent Yes


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Single Farm Solution with one Virtual Host

This solution is implemented when one will need to publish virtual desktops from a singleVirtual Host.

COMPONENTS

Virtual Host

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent Yes


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Virtual Desktops in Mixed Mode (Direct / Regular / SSL)

Client Connections


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No





2X VDS Agent Yes


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Virtual Desktops in Single Farm with Public & Private 2X

Client Gateway

COMPONENTSMS Windows Machine (Public & Private)

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent Yes


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Virtual Desktops in Single Farm Solution with Dual 2X

Client Gateway

COMPONENTS

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed

2X Client Gateway Yes2X Publishing Agent No


2X VDS Agent No

MS Windows Machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No





2X VDS Agent Yes


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2X ThinClientServer scenarios

PCs and ThinClient accessing Microsoft, Citrix and Linux

NX Terminal Servers

MS Windows Machine (RDP Server)

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Windows Machine Deploying Citrix ICA 10/11 server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Linux Running an NX Server such as No machine

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

Microsoft Window s Machine running XP , Vista, 2003, 2008, 2008 R2

Component Installed

2X Thin Client Server Yes

2X DHCP Helper Yes

2X TFTP Server Yes


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2X Virtual XP Desktops


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Component Installed


2X DHCP Helper Yes

2X TFTP Server Yes


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed

2X Client Gateway No2X Publishing Agent No


2X VDS Agent No


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2X Desktop with mixed Citrix and 2X Published

Applications


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


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Component Installed


2X DHCP Helper Yes

2X TFTP Server Yes


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed



2X VDS Agent No


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Multiple OS, Multiple desktops


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed


2X DHCP Helper Yes

2X TFTP Server Yes


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Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No

MS Terminal Server

Component Installed




2X VDS Agent No


Component Installed



2X VDS Agent No


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Mixed scenarios

Multiple Farm Solution


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Terminology

Client Connection Modes:

SSL Mode

Regular

Mode

Direct

Mode

When used in Regular or SSL mode, the 2X Client Gateway machine is the only

machine that needs to be exposed to the outside. This greatly reduces the

requirements for external IP addresses and ports that must be accessible from theoutside, in case you have multiple terminal servers. In Direct mode the 2X Publishing

Agent simply finds the best terminal server and passes that information back to the

client and the client connects directly to the terminal server.

2X VirtualDesktopServer Components

2X Console - provides a centralized GUI application that allows the configuration of

2X ApplicationServer and 2X LoadBalancer.

2X Publishing Agent provides load balanced applications and desktop publishing.2X Terminal Server Agent collects the information from the Terminal Server

required by the 2X LoadBalancer and will transmit to it when required.2X VDI Agent collects the information from the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure,

and is responsible for controlling the VDI through its native API. It also acts as aGateway between the 2X Client Gateway or the client in direct mode and the RDP

server from the guest or VDI depending on the VDI implementation.2X Client Gateway - Tunnels all traffic needed by 2X applications on a single portand provides secure connections.


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Port Reference

* 2X Client Gateway and 2X Publishing Agent can be installed on the same machine. If 2X Client Gateway and 2XPublishing Agent are installed on different machines make sure that 2X Client Gateway has access to the 2XPublishing Agent port (TCP 20002) otherwise it will not be able to retrieve the published applications list and loadbalance the application requests.** RDP Port (3389) cannot be used if the machine on which the 2X Client Gateway is installed has terminalservices enabled.


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Appendices

Installation notesSetting Up 2X ThinClientServer

Enterprise Edition

2X ThinClientServer Enterprise Edition provides a complete feature set for theadministrator to provide thin clients with connections to the broadest range of server-

based terminal services, including:

1 Windows Terminal Services2 Linux Terminal Server3 2X Application Server4 Citrix Published Applications5 Citrix Desktop6 VNC7 VMware View

Enterprise Edition License holders also have access to commercial grade support viaonline support services.

Free Edition

2X ThinClientServer Free Edition provides a free alternative to Enterprise Edition, with allthe features of the Enterprise Edition but:

5 Connections are allowed after the 120 days trail period.

Support available only via ouruser-to-user forum.

You will require the following:

Windows Terminal Services running on Windows Server 2003/2008/2008 R2 Windows XP/Vista/Win7/2008/2008R2 for the TCs server itself if separate.

2X ThinClientServer

1 On the Windows Server, install the Terminal Services; this is done via Add/Removeprograms. This will require a reboot.

2 Install 2X ThinClientServer. Note this can be on the same machine or a separate machine.3 Configure 2X ThinClientServer as per the manual and set up a connection profile for Windows

RDP.4 Ensure any users who will be testing/using this have been granted Remote Desktop user

permissions.5 If you have DHCP configured for PXE, then PXE boot, if not, then download and burn the ISO

image to CD and boot from the CD.

6 Boot and login.
http://www.2x.com/forums/http://www.2x.com/forums/http://www.2x.com/forums/http://www.2x.com/forums/


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All files required can be found on the2X ThinClientServer downloads page.

Common issues

You attempt to login but you return to the login screen

Check in the connection profile settings that the IP address or fully resolvablename is listed. Note localhost or 127.0.0.1 will fail.

Check that RDP is enabled (If testing with Windows XP, RDP is disabled as defaultand must be enabled under My Computer properties)

Try with the Windows XP or other RDP client to connect and login to verify theservice works.

Remote desktop permissions have not be granted to the user Check the user

permissions. Ensure the port 3389 (default) is allowed through any firewalls in between the

client and Terminal Server.

When connecting to 2X AS / VDS verify with the windows client to see that that part ofthe system has been set up correctly.
http://www.2x.com/thinclientserver/downloadlinks.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/thinclientserver/downloadlinks.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/thinclientserver/downloadlinks.htmlhttp://www.2x.com/thinclientserver/downloadlinks.html

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